Maya Sutherland
Maya is a full-time SAHM who squeezes in part-time work as a Local Childcare Consultant for an au pair agency. She was born in Ohio but has spent most of her childhood and adult life in Florida. She is André's devoted wife and mother to Audrey, Mason and her fur baby, Egyptian Mau cat named Midnight. Maya earned an A.S. in Culinary Dietetic Technician and a B.A.S in Supervision and Management from Florida State College at Jacksonville. Her professional background is in management and most recently she managed a skilled nursing facility food service department staff of 15. Maya has a long-time love affair with food and is happiest when she is in the kitchen preparing fresh, homemade meals for her family, utilizing her numerous gadgets and food preparation-specialty items. She also is an aspiring business owner but hasn't figured out what she wants to do 'when she grows up' yet. In her spare time, she loves painting rocks, coloring using colored pencils, yoga, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, and online shopping. You can follow her at Instagram @5spicechef, and Facebook @5spicechef.
Playdate Etiquette: How To Do It Right
Typically, playdates are reserved for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, although they can still benefit school-aged kids.
In the early days of motherhood, playdates were about survival — having an activity planned for around 9 or...
How Music Has Saved Our Mornings
Let’s face it, mornings with kids are HARD. It’s a mad rush to get all the things done before you are late... yet again.
The kids want to play instead of doing the task they...
Simple School Lunch Ideas (Even If They Won’t Eat Sandwiches)
Growing up, my mom always packed my lunch — likely because of my food allergies. I always looked forward to what she packed. My favorite was the grilled cheese sandwiches she would wrap in...
Meal-Planning Tips From a Personal Chef
Meal planning is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. Instead, do what works for you until it isn't working anymore and then switch it up again. For me, meal planning varies based on what...
Sorry (Not Sorry): Being Unapologetic
Around the world, studies have shown that women apologize more often than men. This is not a total shocker for me. Do you find yourself apologizing about anything and everything, or do you know...
Simple Hacks Guaranteed to Make Your Life Easier
Life is cray-cray-crazy with doing all of the things, and as much as you try to simplify it, that overwhelmed feeling still creeps past tolerable. When enough is e-n-o-u-g-h, it is time to figure...
Giving Back to Our Community: Where to Volunteer with Kids in Jacksonville
When I think about my childhood, I have many great memories of volunteering: Neighborhood cleanup, helping build a house for a family with Habitat for Humanity and then sponsoring the same family for Thanksgiving...
The Gift for Generations: College Savings with Florida Prepaid
A long time ago, when I was in middle school, my parents made the life-changing decision to gift my little sister and I a Florida 4-Year College Plan. Being fiscally-minded, my parents wanted to...
5 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Kids
Growing up, we didn’t have any St. Patrick’s Day traditions, but I do remember my stepfather grumbling about not wearing green because he’s Irish, or something about telling people at work he was wearing...
Baby Shower Gifts New Moms Actually Need
Baby showers are simply a given, and although I am a mother, I sometimes have no idea what I should gift the expectant mom. Frankly, I have forgotten what items I loved during the...
The Magic in My Family’s Secret Santa Tradition
When I was in elementary school, my family started our Secret Santa tradition. It was my mom’s idea because she wanted to facilitate the spirit of giving in my sister and me and didn't...
Body Safety: Why It’s Important to Say the Anatomical Terms for Private Parts
In our house, we use proper words for private parts — penis, testicles, scrotum, vagina, vulva, labia, clitoris, etc. Teaching our children about body safety is important because teaching them the correct words instead...